Sony Pictures Television Networks' digital broadcast channel, getTV, has acquired all 26 episodes of 1963's "The Judy Garland Show" and will also bring a selection of top episodes from "The Merv Griffin Show" back to TV for the first time since they were originally broadcast.

These two series will be the cornerstones of a primetime block of variety/talk programming to air Monday nights on the network beginning Oct. 12. The block will also feature a number of musical variety specials and episodes from hit classic series. TV watchers can expect specials featuring Andy Williams, Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Dionne Warwick and Jim Nabors.

Every Monday, "The Judy Garland Show" will air at 8 PM ET; various specials will air at 9 PM ET; and "The Merv Griffin Show" will air at 10 PM ET. The block will be replayed that same night from 11 PM-2 AM.

Early episodes of "The Merv Griffin Show," which kicked off its over 20-year run in 1965, featured George Carlin, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., The Everly Brothers, John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford and Jerry Lewis.

"It has been a labor of love to bring back both Judy and Merv and our whole variety slate," said Jeff Meier, SVP of Programming for getTV, in a statement. "Much of our audience grew up on the musical variety genre, yet no one is airing these fantastic shows anymore. We're very proud to put them back in circulation, so that our viewers can rediscover these great entertainers and a new generation can enjoy them for the first time." "Judy Garland lovers are finally able to see the world's greatest entertainer. This is an amazing series and I am so proud to be a part of making history," added Darryl Payne, CEO of World Live Nation Entertainment Inc., the series' distributor.

"It's been nearly 30 years since 'The Merv Griffin Show' went off the air and most people have never seen or don't remember just how great a host and interviewer he was. His charm and intelligence brought out the best in all his guests," said David Peck, president of Reelin' In The Years Productions, who represents the rights to "The Merv Griffin Show." "We are honored to be able to bring this lost treasure of American television back to the airwaves."